h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've been around here for a fair amount of time (about a year) and I've found that a good way to make friends is by regularly checking the 'whose on line' option. That way new researchers can see who is available to chat with, go directly to 'their space' and leave a message. Very often people will get in touch quite quickly and friendships develop.

As evidenced here, the "Talking Points" topic on the main page is another good way to identify people you might want to talk more with...and who knows? You might get published, too.

I find (and sorry if somebody's posted this in a thread I haven't gotten read yet) another good way of making friends online - h2g2, sixdegrees, delphi.com, where ever - is to get involved in everything. Visit user pages and post a greeting; tell a person what you liked about their space. If the person interests you, maybe check out some of the conversations they're involved in.

H2G2 has tons of community stuff going on. Go join a society or play a game or win (or lose) a contest. You're bound to meet people that way. If people see your name, they'll become familiar with you, and you'll have made acquaintances and friends.

~8~

Certainly - a word of warning though:

Only greet someone on their user page if you've already seen them. It's one thing to meet them in a conversation thread and then find out more about them by talking to them away on their page, but it's another to choose some person at random from the Who's Online box and say hi. All very friendly and everything, but it may be regarded as a bit odd...